Innovation is the key to Berger performance
01 January 2002
Berger Paints, a leading paints and coatings manufacturer, says it has created a range of innovative products suited for the harsh environment of the Gulf.
The products, a result of cutting edge research, ensure minimum process downtime and cost-effective solutions, according to a Bahrain-based spokesman for the company.
"Maintenance and repair today have the added dimension of tackling environmental requirements," he says.
"Costs of contamination, pollution, coupled with social and legal costs, make maintenance and repair a science where one has to minimise risks of failure and yet ensure minimum process down time and cost-effective solutions.
"Translating these objectives to paint systems implies high-performance, high-solids coatings with flexibility of applications on both grit-blasted surfaces to Sa 21/2 (ISO 8501-1) and where minimal surface preparation is possible."
Among the various innovative coatings available from Berger meeting the above criteria are the Steelshield 1200 high solids, high-build glass flake epoxy and Epimastic 5100HS.
A cost-effective and environment-friendly coating, Steelshield 1200 incorporates glass flake and inert pigments for good abrasion resistance, and offers excellent barrier anti-corrosive resistance.
"A typical system, for shell courses and roof underside of tanks storing various mild petrochemicals consists of grit blasting to Sa 21/2 followed by one coat of Epilux 610, a zinc phosphate based epoxy primer. Thereafter, apply one or two coats of Steelshield 1200 at 500 microns per coat. Sag resistance is extremely good. A pot life of 45 minutes at 35 deg C is adequate - this can extend to 3 hours at 15 deg C," says Berger Paints Bahrain general manager Ashok Iyer.
Steelshield 1200 can also be used as a single-coat maintenance system for on-shore and offshore installations, as it can cure both above and below seawater.
Permeability against fresh and seawater is low and designed use includes both steel and concrete structures around splash and tidal zone areas.
"This product is regularly produced at both our Dubai and Bahrain units," says Iyer.
The Epimastic 5100 HS is a new generation mastic coating. It is a high-solids, surface-tolerant epoxy coating for steel surfaces where blast cleaning is neither practical nor economical.
"A contractors' delight because of savings in application cost, this coating can be applied by airless spray at a dry film thickness of 250 microns in a single coat, and has been extensively used in highly corrosive environments.
"Being surface tolerant, minimal surface preparation is adequate. In addition the product has a high solids content and high build characteristic.
"This results in lower application cost compared to conventional epoxy products.
"Touch up with brush is feasible and in combination with Luxathane 5000, Berger's acrylic polyurethane, it forms an ideal system for pipelines above ground and tank exteriors," Iyer points out.
Another innovative product highlighted by the company is Weatherflex, a 100 per cent pure acrylic, high-performing elastomeric coating.
It has been extensively used as an exterior coating in Ministry of Housing projects in Bahrain, in addition to private multi-storeyed complexes and villas.
Its special formulation ensures a high degree of elasticity and elongation to cover hairline cracks of upto 2 mm in masonry, he points out. The degree of crack-bridging varies with DFT (dry film thickness) of application.
Elaborating on the elastomeric coating's properties, Iyer says: "Weatherflex's retention of flexibility and thereby its ability to bridge cracks is far superior to conventional coatings. Due to the aggressive climatic conditions in the Gulf, the concrete or cement plaster of buildings often develop hairline cracks.
''The saline, humid air penetrates through these cracks and gradually makes the cracks bigger. This not only makes the building look unsightly but also weakens the structure, and therefore reduces its lifespan.
"It is here that Weatherflex, with its excellent elasticity, stretches to keep the cracks covered, preventing ingress of saline, humid air. This unique feature, coupled with its proven anti-carbonation properties, make Weatherflex an excellent concrete and plaster protector. Superior resistance to dust pick up; high ultraviolet (UV) resistance and availability in both smooth and textured finishes make Weatherflex an architect's dream come true.
"To top it all, Weatherflex is a waterborne, environment-friendly coating with outstanding exterior durability."
"Berger has a tradition of excellence, which few companies in the world can match. Today, it is our commitment to our traditions of excellence as embodied in our group's vision, that has inspired our research and development department (R&D) to formulate coatings with world-class innovative technology," Iyer adds.
